Welcome to the Emerge, the newsletter of the Office of Emerging Ministries (OEM). MCC wants our churches and global movement to be well equipped to minister in a rapidly changing, culturally-diverse world.

In this issue:

Emerging Ministries Invitation

In the News

Emerging Ministries News

2014 People of African Descent Conference Highlights

Good News

Young Adult Gathering

IN THE NEWS

Rev. Steve Pieters, longtime MCC clergy, HIV/AIDS activist, and long-term survivor, did an internet radio station interview on 14 March. It was the first media interview that he had done in a long time. His friend Alison Arngrim (who played Nellie Oleson on the TV show Little House on the Prairie) joined him for the interview. The host Sheena Metal is quite gifted at helping people relate their stories. Steve says, “We talked mostly about living with AIDS in the 80s, but we actually managed to have some fun in doing so. Listen particularly for my Medical Anomaly song towards the end of the show!” The archived link for the interview is http://www.latalkradio.com/archives/Sheena-031414.mp3. Fast forward to 1:06:00 for the interview.

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Emerging Ministries Invitation

Calling all clergy, chaplains, or lay leaders to help create what will Be MCC in the 21st century! People in many places around the world are yearning to Be MCC. There is plenty of room to live into the broad vision of what it is to be “Church” in the name of MCC. New churches are being planned and new works are emerging around the globe. Where do you feel called to serve?

The Office of Emerging Ministries is actively speaking in many languages, going to different places, and working in NEW ways to intentionally and strategically create and support new churches. The “MCC Emerging Church Program” provides three pathways for the creation of emerging churches. An Emerging Church can be sponsored by a local church, an MCC Network, or by the denomination. There is a comprehensive system of support for lay and clergy leaders who are willing to lead an Emerging Church. If you feel called to help begin a new MCC Emerging Church, please contact Rev. Rachelle Brown, Emerging Church Specialist at RevRachelleBrown@MCCchurch.net.

Rev. Elder Darlene Garner was in Winchester VA on Sunday 27 April to present the 2014 MCC New Church Start award to Shenandoah Valley MCC and to install their new Pastor, the Rev. Gail Minnick. Over 75 people attended. An article about this event appeared in the Winchester Star eEdition.

On 7 May 2014, our office granted authorization of Internationale Roze Kerk MCC to be an emerging church. It is located in The Hague, The Netherlands and the founding pastor is Rev. Barbara Rogoski. If you would like more information about this church send an email to RevBarbara@internationalerozekerk.nl.

The “Darlene Garner” Institute for Ibero-American Leadership Formation is a project of the Office of Formation and Leadership Development and of the Ibero-American Network. The Institute offers a certificate of lay pastor, a certificate of minimum requirement for ordination in ICM, continuing education for MCC pastors and independent study. The languages of the Institute are Spanish and Portuguese. Professors will receive tasks in both languages and there will also be readings in both languages. If you are not in Ibero-America but serve the Hispanic community in the United States or Canada, the Institute is also your educational resource.

Amazing worship is always central to the PAD Conference. This year, the conference began with an electrifying opening worship featuring guest speaker Rev. Dr. Kenneth Samuel the Victory for the World Mighty Men’s Chorus, and the Voices of PAD Choir. Each morning there was dynamic worship and speakers – Rev. Carolyn Mobley and Rev. Mykal Slack. Friday worship was revival night with Bishop Tonyia Rawls. PAD ended on a high note with a celebration in art and song, that included rousing music from Bishop Yvette Flunder, sermonic prose from Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, and a rapping sending forth message from Rev. Elder Darlene Garner. Yes. She rapped!

The PAD Conference was made possible because of the collective efforts of many people. Rev. Dr. Paul Graetz and First MCC of Atlanta (the host church) provided incredible southern hospitality. A special word of thanks goes out to Rev. Candy Holmes (Planning Chair) and the PAD Planning Team who created an exceptional PAD Conference experience. The PAD Conference within MCC and in the larger faith community is always an experience that leaves many wanting to take resources home with them. We are delighted to provide PAD Conference information and resources online. Here you will find the conference program book, 2011-2014 PAD awards and accomplishments, videos of global greetings with translations, worship and programming resources. Video recordings of plenaries and worship will soon be posted online as well.

Thanks to all of you we had a fantastic First Gathering of Hispanic Ministries Network, with among other things, 32 participants, more than what we are expecting!!!!

Let me share this story with you. Three weeks after the event, there were just three people registered, I was concerned and thinking: we should cancel the meeting. With a lot of faith our Elder Héctor said me “please be confident, we will succeed”. These are some of the signs of these success:

32 participants (among them pastor and lay leaders eager to have information to plant Hispanic ministries in their context)

Powerful worship and preaching – We had three marvellous worship, with good representation of our diversity and listened an excellent reflection (sermon) about inclusion.

Covered by the local press – Thanks to the excellent work of Ann, the event was covered by two media, public had the opportunity to listen about this ministry thru diverse MCC voices.

Participation and integration of Resurrection MCC – RMCC were not only host but active and committed participants in the event. Friday evening more than 20 members of the congregation joined us during the presentation “We are family” and received with joy all participants of the First Gathering during the two Sunday worship services.

How this could happen? : “Team working and faith”.

Thanks Hector, for your vision and faith

Thanks Rev. Vicky for your unconditional support in all logistical thing of the event

Thanks, Rev. Troy for your generosity

Thanks, Rev Michael, for your support organizing the event.

Thanks, Kay for helping us with the registration process, (the collaboration between programs is effective.)

Thanks, Robert , Bridgett and Mark, faces and bodies of RMCC’s hospitality and kindness

Thanks Rev. Alejandro, Brian and Rev.Jorge for your support as interpreters.

Thanks Rev. Alejandro for creative worship moments and Rev. Edgard for the excellent and inspiring sermon.

Thanks to our Elders and to Rev. Tony Freeman, for believe in this ministry putting all their enthusiasm and all their resources available to make this possible.

People left the activity with great expectancy and hope and Hispanic Ministry founders embraced the whole event with tears and laughter; maybe God is calling MCC into new fields, new adventures… and we are ready!

2014 MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Friends, and Allies15-17 MAY 2014FIRST MCC of ATLANTAATLANTA, GEORGIA

BE THE CHANGE

The MCC PAD conference is for everyone. Let us come together to proactively transform ourselves as we create the beloved community and transform the world!

This is going to be a remarkable journey, folks! And it is our sincerest hope that you can get on the bus and come along for the ride! Transforming Ourselves As We Transform the World is our charge and “BE”ING THE CHANGE is our goal. Whether you are a person of African descent, a friend or an ally – ALL ARE WELCOME and we hope to see you there!

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas renowned for her work on sexuality and the Black Church, will lead the charge with a historical perspective on how far we’ve come as LGBTQI peoples of African descent and what’s on the horizon as we fully show up as we are.

Rev. Dr. Ronald Hopson a scholar in psychology and religion/theology, will help us reimagine what healing and transformation can look like in our lives in light of and in spite of our collective stories.

Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson , widely known for her community-building efforts across cultures and faith traditions, will talk about Jesus and social justice, focusing us on the outward manifestation of inward spiritual health and wellness.

Rev. MacArthur Flournoy will round out the plenary sessions, along with an esteemed panel of local and national leaders, to help us understand the value of building a faith movement that makes room at the table for all that we are and all that we bring.

Worship Preachers

Rev. Dr. Ken Samuel, Senior Pastor of Victory for the World Church believes that our love for Jesus should never be separated from justice. He will be the guest preacher for opening worship on Thursday evening.

Rev. Carolyn Mobley, Interim Pastor of MCC of Richmond will use her gift as a minister who speaks through her music to start the day on Friday for the morning worship.

Bishop Tonyia Rawls, Founder and Executive Director of The Freedom Center for Social Justice (FCSJ) and Founder of Sacred Souls Community Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is a spiritual leader and social activist. She will be bringing a dynamic message to the conference on Friday evening.

Rev. Mykal Slack, Founder of 4LYFE Ministries provides pastoral and educational resources to address sexual orientation and gender identity issues in faith communities across a broad spectrum. On Saturday morning he will share a word of inspiration to take us into the final day of the conference.

Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson, Moderator of MCC will round out the conference on Saturday evening. She will offer visionary words of truth, passion, and love.

Saturday evening will also come alive with a Gospel Extravaganza. Come and join your fellow conference participants in an event overflowing with music.

Volunteer Today

Do you have time to volunteer during the 2014 People of African Descent, Allies, and Friends Conference? We are looking for people with kind hearts and generous spirits to volunteer their time. Volunteer opportunities include (but are not limited to): conference registration, worship (usher, greeter, acolyte), workshops, audio visuals, hospitality, VIP Buddies, and so much more.

The purpose of the Advisory Councils is to (1) identify and seek solutions to many of the obstacles that are encountered when people attempt to access and/or contribute to our local ministries and to the global MCC movement, and (2) increase MCC’s cross-cultural competencies so that our churches and global movement can be better equipped to minister with effectiveness. We are seeking feedback from Older Adults (age 50+) and Women (self-identified).If you fit in either or both of these categories, please take the corresponding survey(s) by 15 September 2013.